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“Bring Brennan Back,” says Town Meeting to Select Board
During a prolonged Town Meeting, articles were approved to fund HVAC replacements and structural repairs at two fire stations. Additionally, a citizen's petition passed to advocate for the reinstatement of Sergeant Tim Brennan, who was controversially fired. Discussions also included law enforcement policy adherence, town personnel actions, and amendments concerning environmental testing. Major points included various community members vocalizing both support and opposition, leading to several democratic decisions, though not all articles were successful. The meeting highlighted robust civic engagement and varied opinions on town governance and community values.
News
2% of Voters Decide to Raise $171 million in Tax
At Hopkinton Middle School's Annual Town Meeting, attended by 343 of 13,076 registered voters, several significant fiscal decisions were made, totaling $171,982,393. Highlights included passing the Operating budget at $121 million, approving a salary for Town Clerk Connor Degan, and agreeing to digitize town records at a cost of $667k. Debates ensued over the Hopkins Addition project, with its $48 million need achieving the required 2/3 majority. Public works projects also received attention, with some approved and others denied. The discussion will continue in a Special Town Meeting addressing additional civic matters.
Politics
Your Guide to Town Meeting 2024
Hopkinton will host its Annual Town Meeting on May 6 and a Special Town Meeting on May 7 at Hopkinton Middle School. Attendees will vote on 52 articles during the Annual Meeting and 5 additional proposals in the Special Meeting, addressing issues from town budget increases and water management to a major school renovation project. Key topics include significant debt considerations due to capital requests, particularly a $48 million expansion for Hopkins Elementary, and the adoption of a specialized Stretch Energy Code aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Voting will be electronic, with large attendance expected.
News
Police Seek Vehicle Seen Joyriding at HCC
The Hopkinton police are requesting help to identify a vehicle responsible for considerable damage on the Hopkinton Country Club golf course at 5:00 PM today. The vehicle nearly hit several golfers. Individuals with any information should contact the police at (508) 497-3401.
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News
“Bring Brennan Back,” says Town Meeting to Select Board
During a prolonged Town Meeting, articles were approved to fund HVAC replacements and structural repairs at two fire stations. Additionally, a citizen's petition passed to advocate for the reinstatement of Sergeant Tim Brennan, who was controversially fired. Discussions also included law enforcement policy adherence, town personnel actions, and amendments concerning environmental testing. Major points included various community members vocalizing both support and opposition, leading to several democratic decisions, though not all articles were successful. The meeting highlighted robust civic engagement and varied opinions on town governance and community values.
News
2% of Voters Decide to Raise $171 million in Tax
At Hopkinton Middle School's Annual Town Meeting, attended by 343 of 13,076 registered voters, several significant fiscal decisions were made, totaling $171,982,393. Highlights included passing the Operating budget at $121 million, approving a salary for Town Clerk Connor Degan, and agreeing to digitize town records at a cost of $667k. Debates ensued over the Hopkins Addition project, with its $48 million need achieving the required 2/3 majority. Public works projects also received attention, with some approved and others denied. The discussion will continue in a Special Town Meeting addressing additional civic matters.
Politics
Your Guide to Town Meeting 2024
Hopkinton will host its Annual Town Meeting on May 6 and a Special Town Meeting on May 7 at Hopkinton Middle School. Attendees will vote on 52 articles during the Annual Meeting and 5 additional proposals in the Special Meeting, addressing issues from town budget increases and water management to a major school renovation project. Key topics include significant debt considerations due to capital requests, particularly a $48 million expansion for Hopkins Elementary, and the adoption of a specialized Stretch Energy Code aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Voting will be electronic, with large attendance expected.
We refurbished the school in 2006 and there is still asbestos and a failing HVAC system? Hopkinton has a long history of financial issues from inadequate controls and reporting to spending money foolishly to not spending money when the decision is obviously to spend a little to save ALOT. As a 30+ year resident, why can’t we seem to fix the common issue which is fiscal control? We’ve seen articles recently that we spend more in uncontrolled water costs/lost revenue than it would cost to fix the issue. We are in jeopardy of spending more than we are legally allowed and on and on! Is no one paying attention or are “we” just assuming Hopkinton is rich so who cares?
“At a meeting last night, Select Board member Shahidul Mannan told me he had suggested childcare in the past, but it fell on deaf ears. “I was the lone voice,” he said. Town Clerk Connor Degan has also tried to move ahead on this and indicated that the process had stalled.”
Based on this, it is fair to assume that the Select Board is aware of the issue and wants to keep the status quo, intentionally. I believe that is at being close-minded at best, and unempathetic at worst. There are more sinister interpretations, but without further statement or information, those interpretations are probably unfair.
What about the property behind the town hall That the town approved at town meeting for purchase so a parking lot could be built for the town employees. We were told the building would be torn down. Instead it is being used for town parks and recreation and has two or three people working in it.